Page 105 of The Prince of Broken Crowns

“I know. And I have my reasons why I haven’t.”

“Oh …” He drags out a pause. “Can I ask what those reasons are? You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.”

“It’s fine. It’s not a big mystery.” I pluck a few photos off my wall and stuff them into my pocket, deciding to take them with me. “A lot of people I know start dating and end up either getting consumed by their relationship, get into a toxic one, or some of the women I know end up knocked up. I’ve always known that I wanted out of northside. I want a better life with a career and stability. And so, to make sure that plan happens for me, I decided I didn’t want any distractions or risks.”

“And so, no dating.”

“Yep, no dating.”

“That makes sense.” His gaze tracks me as I wander around the room, picking up a few items to take with me. “What about now?”

“Hmmm?” I’m picking up an old band T-shirt, but pause, glancing at him.

He shifts his weight while massaging the back of his neck. “Is that rule still in play now that you’re in college?”

I hesitate, trying to dissect the meaning of his question. With how many times it seemed like he might kiss me, I’d question if he was asking for himself. But River doesn’t date either, so perhaps he’s simply curious.

“I don’t know.” I stand up straight. “It’s not that I don’t want to date, but I’m going to a college full of royals and, no offense to you—you’re like the sweetest guy I’ve ever met—but from what I’ve seen, when a royal dates a northsider, it’s usually because they’re a sidepiece.”

“That does happen a lot.” A disappointed frown is etched on his face, but then he grins. “You think I’m sweet?”

“Not think. I know.” I collect a backpack from off the floor and stuff the items into it.

“A lot of people would disagree with you. In fact, I’ve got a reputation for being a total asshole.”

“That doesn’t surprise me. I thought that about you when I first met you.” I sling the backpack over my shoulder and flash him a toothy grin. “But underneath that hard candy shell, you’re just a chocolatey center that’s all melty and soft.”

He stares at me, unimpressed. “Did you just compare me to an M&M?”

“What? They’re yummy?” I giggle as I back toward the window.

He shakes his head, his eyes playfully narrowing. “You’re yum?—”

Bang!

“What the hell was that?” River hisses, hurrying over toward me in a protective way.

Blood roars in my eardrums as my heart thunders. “The front door slamming shut.”

“I’m trying to find her … I know … Look, I’ll get her to you, but Maddy’s smart, so we gotta play it smart.” My mother’s voice floats through the house.

“She’s talking to Drew,” I whisper through a gulp.

My throat feels tight. It’s stupid after all these years of her being a terrible mother, but it still hurts knowing she’s helping Drew try to get a hold of me.

River places his hand on my back and urges me toward the window. “Come on. Let’s get out of here.”

“I’ll do it, okay?” my mother says, her voice sounding close to my door now.

I snap out of my trance, quietly glide the window open, toss my bag out, and then move to duck outside. As I grip the windowsill, the sliver becomes lodged deeper into my flesh.

I let out a string of curses underneath my breath but disregard the pain and duck out. My boots land on the gravel with a soft thump as I stumble. I regain my balance and scoop up my bag right as River climbs out.

He grabs my uninjured hand and tows me with him as he heads toward the back of the building.

I slam on the brakes. “Hold on. I want to close the window so she won’t suspect anything’s been going on.”

He opens his mouth, I think to protest, but then the bedroom light flips on. The curtains are wide open, and my mother is standing in the room, looking directly at me.

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